The press and the pulpit broke their silence and from
all over the state came the echo. It was the firing of the signal guns.
The response came desultory, as the rattle of musketry in a skirmish,
then heavier from the bigger guns, as is the case in all reformatory work.
The criticisms and comments were varied, often amusing, reflecting the
agitation from far and near and everywhere.
A few months ago and the name of Mrs. Nation was unknown outside
of Medicine Lodge, Kansas, but within the limits of sixty days she
has achieved notoriety, if not fame, by her unique crusade against the
Kansas saloon. Many methods have been adopted during the last
two decades for the abatement of the liquor nuisance, but it remained
for an American woman, under the spur of bitter memories, and a sort
heart, to originate a method, at once so bold and radical as to sharply
focus public attention upon the utter villainy and lawlessness of the Kansas
saloon.
As was to be expected, Mrs. Nation has been subjected to unhandsome
treatment. A section of the press and the pulpit have joined
forces with the rum brigade in holding her up to ridicule. She has been
burlesqued, abused and belied; but when all the facts are soberly and fairly
weighed, it will be found that the scale of justice inclines, very positively,
toward this sorely tried woman and her hatchet. I do not pose
as Mrs. Nation's champion or apologist; she needs neither.
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